The Minnesota Timberwolves seem to be all in on acquiring Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers. They also seem to be all in on trading for him without giving up any of their star players.
If the Timberwolves are unwilling to part with Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, or D'Angelo Russell, then how are they going to acquire Ben Simmons? Sure, they could always take the three team route but that seems more and more unlikely every day so it might have to be just a swap between these two teams. Here's a deal Minnesota could offer without giving up any of their big three.
Minnesota Timberwolves trade Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels, Patrick Beverley, 2022 FRP, 2024 FRP, 2026 FRP, and a 2028 FRP to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons
This isn't the type of deal Daryl Morey or the rest of the 76ers organization had in mind when the Ben Simmons trade rumors started swirling, but it's not bad. Getting all of these assets for Ben Simmons helps clean up the locker room turmoil for this season while allowing the 76ers to still go out and win this season.
Malik Beasley has quietly turned into one of the best three point shooters in the NBA since arriving in Minnesota. Beasley has some off the court issues but those look done with as long as he doesn't mess up again but when he's on the court he contributes. Jaden McDaniels was a top 10-12 rookie last season and has excellent two-way potential on a very cheap contract. He's already the best defender on the Wolves roster and one of the best two-way players as well. Beverley was recently acquired by the Wolves but it helps make the money work if they send him to Philadelphia.
This trade would also send four first round picks to the 76ers. That's just the price the Wolves might have to pay if they insist on keeping their three best players. The 76ers have made it clear they want a star player back like Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal but those types of players just aren't available right now. Key words there are right now. Making this trade with the Timberwolves gives the 76ers six valuable assets to include in a trade at the deadline or next offseason added on to their current assets. They will get a star, just not this offseason.
The 2021-22 season can still be a winning season for the 76ers even if they trade Simmons and don't get a star back. The playmaking on offense takes a hit but the overall shot making gets better. Malik Beasley can help space the floor better than ben Simmons just because he's always a threat for a catch and shoot three pointer. The defense gets worse losing one of the best defenders in the NBA but Beverley certainly isn't a liability on that end and McDaniels is already good with a ton of potential.
If the 76ers were to ultimately make a trade involving Ben Simmons that doesn't get them a star in return then they likely have a future plan to acquire one. Even if it's not via trade, the Beverley contract is up after this season, freeing up roughly $15 million in cap space. Joel Embiid was just given a huge contract extension and no matter what he puts on social media, it's likely that he isn't hoping to play with Ben Simmons again after the playoffs last season.
The relationship between Simmons and the 76ers organization is shattered. Ben Simmons knows that. Daryl Morey knows that. Gersson Rosas, the Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations, knows that and he's waiting.
Rosas has been waiting in the weeds all offseason as the value for Simmons has dropped and star players around the league have settled in with their own teams. There's a reason the Wolves keep popping up in these rumors. They're ready to make the move as soon as Morey comes back to them.
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